Five home games on the synthetic turf of Bailey Stadium on the Decatur campus of East Central Community College highlight the Warriors 2015 football schedule.The EC Warriors begin the season with their first two games at home. On Thursday, Aug. 27, Mississippi Delta Community College visits Decatur, with kickoff set at 6:30 p.m. Coahoma Community College will travel to Decatur on Thursday, Sept. 3, for a 6:30 p.m. contest.The Warriors hit the road for the first time Thursday, Sept. 10, to face Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston at 7 p.m. The following Thursday, Sept. 17, East Central travels to Holmes Community College for a 7 p.m. matchup to be played at Grenada High School.EC returns home to Decatur for its next two games, Thursday, Sept. 24, against Copiah-Lincoln Community College at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 1, against Hinds Community College at 6:30 p.m.In its first Saturday game of the year, EC travels to Jones County Junior College in Ellisville for a 2 p.m. matchup on Oct. 10.The annual East Central Community College Homecoming game and festivities will take place the following Saturday, Oct. 17, as Southwest Mississippi Community College visits Bailey Stadium in Decatur. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.The Warriors close out the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 22, traveling to Poplarville to face Pearl River Community College at 7 p.m.East Central looks to continue to improve under third-year Head Coach Ken Karcher. The Warriors were 3-6 on the 2014 season.

You can also see the full schedule by clicking here.For more information, contact Dean of Personnel Services/Athletics Chris Harris at 601-635-6401, toll-free 877-462-3222, ext. 401, or charris@eccc.edu.

Football camps for young athletes are scheduled during June at East Central Community College in Decatur, announced Ken Karcher, Warrior head coach.Coach Karcher said each camp “will stress the fundamentals and techniques with our primary objective focusing on quality instruction for each and every player in a fun atmosphere. We hope to teach skills that make better football players and build young men.”7-ON-7 TOURNAMENT(June 4)The 7-on-7 Tournament is ideal for the skill player. Cost is $10 per person. A trophy will be awarded to the winning team. The deadline to register is May 27; however, space is limited. The fee for the tournament includes lunch and a camp T-shirt. Check-in for the 7-on-7 Tournament will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., June 4 at the Brackeen-Wood Physical Education Building. The schedule for the overnight camps is as follows:SENIOR WARRIOR BIG MAN CAMP (June 1-3)

The Senior Warrior Big Man Camp is a three-day, semi-contact event for players entering grades ninth through 12th during the fall of 2015. All campers will be grouped by age. Participants will be instructed in both offensive and defensive line play, including competitive drills. There will be two practices on June 1, three practices on June 2 and two practices on June 3. Cost is $175 per camper or $150 for groups of five or more campers. Fee includes five meals per camper.SENIOR WARRIOR SKILL CAMP (June 1-3)The Senior Warrior Skill Camp is a three-day, non-contact event for players entering grades ninth through 12th during the fall of 2015. All campers will be grouped by age. Participants will be instructed in both an offensive and defensive position of their choice. There will be two practices on June 1, three practices on June 2 and two practices on June 3. Cost is $175 per camper. Fee includes five meals per camper.

ITEMS CAMPERS SHOULD PROVIDECoach Karcher said all campers should bring a football helmet, mouth piece, football cleats, shorts, T-shirts and water bottle for practices.

East Central Community College Warrior defensive lineman Tyler Pace (seated, center) of Newton signs a letter of intent to continue his football career at the University of West Alabama. Pace, a 6-2, 276-pound former Newton High School standout, accumulated 18 solo stops, 13 assists and led the Warriors with five quarterback sacks this season. He is shown with his mother Alysia Pace (seated, left) and grandmother Gladis Pace. Also pictured are assistant football coach Mickey Mays and head football coach Ken Karcher.

Taylorsville native Derek Welch was recently named an assistant football coach at East Central Community College in Decatur. Prior to joining the ECCC staff, Welch served as an assistant defensive backs coach at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. He has also held similar positions at Kemper County High School in DeKalb and Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark. His experience also includes his service as a Summer Basketball Camp director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Union City, Tenn. Welch received his bachelor’s degree in 2012 in health and human performance from the University of Tennessee-Martin where he was a two-year starter at cornerback. Welch and the UT-Martin defense led the league in four categories including total defense, passing defense, passing efficiency defense and first and third-down defense; and were ranked fifth nationally in total defense. A 2008 graduate of Jones County Junior College, Welch was a two-year letterman for the Bobcats and was selected first team All-State as both a defensive back and wide receiver. He was also a first team All-State selection at Taylorsville High School, where he graduated in 2007.

East Central Community College in Decatur was well represented in the 41st annual Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College (MACJC) All-Star Football Classic as four Warriors were named to the South Division squad. From left are defensive backs Russell McClain of Starkville and JaDerrick Farrow, a product of Bleckley County High School in Cochran, GA; offensive lineman Marcus Johnson of New Hope; and running back Lamarcus Franks, a product of Green County High School, who helped lead the South to a 23-13 victory. Franks scored on a seven-yard run and compiled 55 yards on 10 carries. In recognition of his performance, Franks was presented the Keith Daniels South Offensive MVP Award. The North-South All-Star Classic was held Dec. 4, 2014, at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville.

These outstanding Warrior football players received honors at the annual Fall Sports Awards Banquet held at East Central Community College in Decatur. From left are long snapper Trent Haden of Sumrall, academic award; and defensive lineman Tyler Pace of Newton, most improved defensive player and second team MACJC All-State. Award winners not pictured are defensive back JaDerrick Farrow, a product of Bleckley County High School in Cochran, GA, defensive captain and MACJC All-Star; running back Lamarcus Franks of Greene County, most valuable player, offensive captain, MACJC All-Star and second team MACJC All-State; offensive lineman Marcus Johnson of New Hope, most improved offensive player and MACJC All-Star; defensive back Raphael McClain of Starkville, MACJC All-Star; and defensive back Austin Balthazor of Seminary, second team MACJC All-State. ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart, head football coach Ken Karcher, and assistant coaches Mickey Mays, Scott Brock, Dennis Alexander, Charles Jones, Ben Cooper and Tylan Martin presented awards.

East Central Community College standout running back Lamarcus Franks helped lead the South All-Stars to a 23-13 victory over the North in the 2014 MACJC All-Star Football Classic held Thursday, Dec. 4 at Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Tiger Stadium.Franks, a 5-7, 142-pound product of Green County High School, scored on a seven-yard run and led South rushers with 55 yards on 10 carries. For his efforts, Franks was presented the Keith Daniels South Offensive MVP Award.Franks’ touchdown came with 5:36 left before halftime and gave the South a 10-7 advantage.Other Warriors on the South squad were offensive lineman Marcus Johnson (6-1, 242) of New Hope High School, and defensive backs Raphael McClain (5-10, 164) of Starkville and JaDerrick Farrow (5-11, 198), a product of Bleckley County High School in Cochran, GA.

Gray Massey, women’s head soccer coach at East Central Community College, addresses the large crowd in attendance for the annual Fall Sports Awards Banquet held Dec. 2, 2014, in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria on the Decatur campus. Massey’s Lady Soccer Warriors experienced their best season in the program’s history by qualifying for post-season play and finishing with a 12-4-2 record. Massey and other coaches representing fall sports presented awards to the outstanding student-athletes. ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart presented academic awards to each honoree representing football, women’s soccer and men’s soccer. Chris Harris, dean of personnel services and athletics, served as master of ceremonies.

Football and soccer players received special recognition at the annual Fall Sports Awards Banquet held Dec. 2, 2014, in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria.Chris Harris, director of personnel services and athletics, served as master of ceremonies. ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart provided comments and expressed appreciation to coaches and players for their hard work and efforts during the 2014 season. Dr. Stewart also presented awards to the top academic students in each sport.Football players who received awards include defensive back JaDerrick Farrow of Bleckley County High School in Cochran, GA, defensive captain and MACJC All-Star; running back Lamarcus Franks of Greene County, most valuable player, offensive captain, MACJC All-Star and second team MACJC All-State; defensive lineman Tyler Pace of Newton, most improved defensive player and second team MACJC All-State; offensive lineman Marcus Johnson of New Hope, most improved offensive player and MACJC All-Star; defensive back Austin Balthazor of Seminary, MACJC All-Star; second team MACJC All-State; and long snapper Trent Haden of Sumrall, academic award.Head football coach Ken Karcher and assistants Mickey Mays, Scott Brock, Dennis Alexander, Charles Jones, Ben Cooper and Tylan Martin presented awards along with Dr. Stewart.The Warriors finished 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the MACJC South Division.In women’s soccer, award winners and their respective high schools include forward Ashlan Culberson of Brandon, academic and team captain awards, MACJC All-State and MACJC All-Star; midfielder Allie Turner of Horn Lake, Golden Boot Award, team most valuable player and MACJC All-State; defender Pashien Kelley-Johnson of West Harrison, defense award; goalkeeper Alana Walker of Pascagoula, MACJC All-State; midfielder Megan Yarbrough of Center Hill, hustle award; defender Mikayla May of Newton County, Warrior Award; and defender Tesia Keith of Corinth, MACJC All-Star.Women’s soccer head coach Gray Massey presented awards along with Dr. Stewart.The Lady Soccer Warriors finished 12-4-2 overall and qualified for post-season season play for the first time since the program’s inception in 2005.Award winners in men’s soccer and their respective high schools include defender Dalton Smith of Florence, academic and team captain awards, and MACJC All-Star; midfielder Eliud Alvarez of Forest, Golden Boot and team captain awards, and MACJC All-Star; defender Tyler Cook of Daphne (Ala.), defense award, team most valuable player, MACJC All-State and MACJC All-Star; midfielder Jackson Oliver of Clinton, hustle award; forward/keeper Jacob Johnson of Destrehan (LA), honorable mention MACJC All-State; keeper Matt Sykes of Heritage Academy, MACJC All-Star and honorable mention MACJC All-State; defender Kellen Clark of Newton County, honorable mention MACJC All-State; and midfielder Jordan Alonso of Newton County, Warrior Award.Men’s soccer head coach Kenneth Thompson presented awards along with Dr. Stewart.The Warrior soccer team finished 5-10-2.For more information on ECCC athletics, contact Chris Harris, at 601-635-6401 or email charris@eccc.edu.

East Central Community College will be well represented in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College (MACJC) All-Star Football Classic as four Warriors were selected to participate in the 41st annual contest scheduled Thursday, December 4, 2014, at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Tiger Stadium on the Booneville campus.For the first time, the All-Star matchup will be shown live at www.nemcctv.com. The pregame show starts at approximately 12:45 p.m. Jeremy Kennedy, the “voice” of Northeast Tiger athletics, will call all the action.ECCC football standouts named to the South squads are running back Lamarcus Franks of State Line, offensive lineman Marcus Johnson of Columbus, and defensive backs Raphael McClain of Starkville and JaDerrick Farrow of Cochran, Georgia. Franks, a 5-7, 142-pound speedster from Greene County High School, led EC in rushing with 923 yards on 190 carries, a 4.9-yard average. His longest run went for 51 yards. He also scored three touchdowns.Johnson, a 6-1, 242-pound product of New Hope High School, is regarded as one of the top offensive lineman in the state.McClain, a 5-10, 164-pound product of Starkville High School, registered 38 solo tackles and 12 assists. He was also credited with two quarterback sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. Farrow, a 5-11, 198-pound product of Bleckley County High School, had 39 solo stops and 10 assists. He was also credited with a fumble recovery.Northeast has welcomed the MACJC’s top pigskin stars for the past 28 years, dating back to the mid-1980s. The annual event marks the second consecutive season during that span in which the contest has been moved from its usual Saturday afternoon slot.“We are extremely honored and proud to once again serve as host for this annual game,” said Northeast athletic director David Robbins. “It is something that we look forward to because we feel it is a fantastic way to recognize a special group of student-athletes from all over the state.”Sophomores from each of the MACJC‘s 14 football-playing institutions are eligible to participate in the yearly tradition. Thirty-three players comprise the North and South rosters with each college contributing at least three athletes.The all-star coaches select the remainder of the roster, but no more than eight players from one school are allowed.Both units are slated to report to Booneville at noon Tuesday, December 2. The gridiron standouts will have three practices before the contest – one session Tuesday and two workouts on Wednesday. The practice sessions allow coaches from across the state to visit one location and scout the best talent that each MACJC member has to offer.Southwest Mississippi Community College’s Tucker Peavey will direct the South squad. Jeff Koonze of Holmes Community College leads the North team. However, the remaining JUCO head football coaches will serve as their assistants for the first time on the rich history of the game.The MACJC All-Star Football Classic serves as a springboard to the next level for many All-Stars since its inception. Numerous athletes from previous matchups have received scholarships at four-year colleges and universities in NCAA Divisions I and II, and the NAIA. For more information, contact Blake Long, sports information director, Northeast Mississippi Community College, at 662-720-7448 or email bdlong@nemcc.edu.